Page 34 of Mystic

“Me too, Jake. You want to talk?”

“Sure.”

“How did this happen? I know what you told us at the table, but you were protecting her.”

“I was. I was helping her out. She needed a place, and I offered it. I was a mess, mom. Kyla helped me get back to where I needed to be for a little while. In turn, I helped her. She needed to disappear, and I made that happen.”

“And how did Axel come to be?”

“It was one night. I was so fucking broken from losing Yasmine and Jenny. It tore my heart out. I just … I needed someone, and she was there. Kyla was a lot like me back then. She just needed someone.”

“And then came Axel.”

“I helped her hide. I didn’t know about Axel until recently when she called me to come back.”

“You’re sure he’s yours?”

“I have no doubts. He looks like Jenny.”

“He does. I thought the same thing when I first saw him. And you’re happy?”

“I am. I didn’t think I could ever be again, but then they showed up on my doorstep. It felt like everything wrong was now right. Every ounce of pain was worth it.”

“I’m glad you have that, Jake. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for you,” she reveals.

“It isn’t over. I still have a lot of work ahead of me, but I can’t see letting them two go. I need them here,” I tell her. She nods her head, a smile on her face.

“You’re not trying to replace them, are you?”

“I could never replace them, mom. Ever.”

“Nor would I want you to,” I hear Kyla’s voice. I look over and see her standing in the doorway, looking as beautiful as ever. “Axel fell asleep. He’s a lot of fun today,” she tells us. Mom smiles and kisses my cheek before standing and walking over to Kyla, pulling her into a hug.

“I’m so happy to meet you and Axel.”

“You too.” I hear the hitch in Kyla’s voice. She isn’t used to this, but she’s doing a great job. Mom pulls away and walks out of the room while Kyla walks in. She drops onto the bed next to me, and I wrap my arm around her shoulders.

“You okay?”

“It’s been a long day,” she sighs.

“You want me to kiss it and make it better?” I tease her. She smiles when she looks over at me.

“You think you can?”

“I know I can.”

“You called me baby earlier.”

“Yeah, I did. You like it?”

“I think I do.”

“Good. There’s a lot I’m going to call you.”

“Like what?”

“Baby. Mine. Mostly mine.”

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